Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates an integrated chip including a substrate. A conductive interconnect feature is arranged over the substrate. The conductive interconnect feature has a base feature portion with a base feature width and an upper feature portion with an upper feature width. The upper feature width is narrower than the base feature width such that the conductive interconnect feature has tapered outer feature sidewalls. An interconnect via is arranged over the conductive interconnect feature. The interconnect via has a base via portion with a base via width and an upper via portion with an upper via width. The upper via width is wider than the base via width such that the interconnect via has tapered outer via sidewalls.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multi-state one-time programmable (MSOTP) memory circuit including a memory cell and a programming voltage driving circuit. The memory cell includes a MOS storage transistor, a first MOS access transistor and a second MOS access transistor electrically connected to store two bits of data. When the memory cell is in a writing state, the programming voltage driving circuit outputs a writing control potential to the gate of the MOS storage transistor, and when the memory cell is in a reading state, the programming voltage driving circuit outputs a reading control potential to the gate of the MOS storage transistor.

Abstract: A device may generate, using a random telegraph signal (RTS) noise generator, a simulated RTS noise as input to a transistor included in an electronic circuit. The device may determine, based on the simulated RTS noise input to the transistor, a simulated output signal from the transistor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of inspecting a photomask to decrease false defects, which uses a plurality of image rendering models with varying emphasis on different design aspects, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming an integrated circuit (IC) design comprising a graphical representation of an integrated circuit. A first image rendering simulation is performed on the IC design using an initial image rendering model to determine a plurality of initial mask defects. A second image rendering simulation is performed on the IC design using a modified image rendering model that emphasizes a design aspect to determine a plurality of modified mask defects. By comparing the plurality of initial mask defects with the plurality of modified mask defects, falsely identified mask defects can be detected and eliminated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of inspecting a photomask to decrease false defects, which uses a plurality of image rendering models with varying emphasis on different design aspects, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming an integrated circuit (IC) design comprising a graphical representation of an integrated circuit. A first image rendering simulation is performed on the IC design using an initial image rendering model to determine a plurality of initial mask defects. A second image rendering simulation is performed on the IC design using a modified image rendering model that emphasizes a design aspect to determine a plurality of modified mask defects. By comparing the plurality of initial mask defects with the plurality of modified mask defects, falsely identified mask defects can be detected and eliminated.